Peabo Bryson is one of the premier male vocalists in contemporary music and with twenty-five years of music-making to his credit. Peabo Bryson is expanding his creative horizons as a producer and songwriter. As witnessed by his outstanding debut for Windham Hill Records, this two-time Grammy-Award winning legend is reaching new heights with a set of exceptional material, much of which he wrote and produced with musical partner Regina Troupe. To a collection of tailor-made original songs which showcase Peabo Bryson’s rich, soulful vocal style, this internationally-renowned performer adds an emotive reading of Leon Russell’s classic “A SONG FOR YOU” and an infectious cover of the 1979 Rufus and Chaka Khan hit “AINT NOBODY.”
From the sensuous, tropical flavor of “ON AND ON” to “DID YOU EVER KNOW,” the kind of standout powerhouse ballad that has made him a fixture on the music scene, Peabo Bryson has delivered an album sure to satisfy the loyal global audience he’s created for himself over the past two decades. Teaming with longtime friend and duet partner Roberta Flack, there’s “THE GIFT”, a poignant tune that is a reminder of the pairs vocal chemistry; “MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU”, (also featured on Windham Hill labelmate Jim Brickman’s “VISIONS OF LOVE” album) is another Bryson highlight co-written with Regina Troupe; while the easy-going, finger-snapper “SOMEBODY IN YOUR LIFE” demonstrates that Peabo Bryson’s ability to handle groove tunes along with the quiet storm and adult contemporary ballads have made him a longtime favorite among pop and R&B listeners everywhere.
With almost twenty albums to his credit, Peabo Bryson’s career has gone from strength to strength particularly during the past decade. Enjoying an unprecedented, across-the-board level of international success, Peabo has the distinction of being the first artist in music history to have separate records topping four different charts: “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)”, a duet with Regina Belle that won an Oscar as “Best Song” in 1992 and earned Peabo a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Vocal by a Duo or Group” topped both the Pop and Adult Contemporary charts; a new recording of the classic musical “THE KING AND I” featuring Peabo and Tony winner Lea Salonga on the song “WE KISS IN A SHADOW” became No. 1 on the Classical Crossover charts; while saxophonist Kenny G’s multi-platinum “BREATHLESS” which included Peabo on “BY THE TIME THIS NIGHT IS OVER” topped the Contemporary Jazz charts and also enjoyed a three-month run as a hit single on the Hot 100 in 1993.
But acclaim and recognition are nothing new for this multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer, born in Greenville, South Carolina. Exposed to music at an early age, Peabo Bryson began singing with local bands during his teen years, performing on the famed ‘chitlin’ circuit and gaining the kind of experience that would help prepare him for a solid career as a recording artist and entertainer.
In 1975, Peabo Bryson signed with Atlanta-based Bang Records and enjoyed some initial success on the R&B charts with tunes like “I CAN MAKE IT BETTER” and “UNDEGROUND MUSIC.” However, it was after switching to Capitol Records in 1977 that Peabo gained national attention thanks to Top 10 R&B hits like “I’m So Into You” and “REACHING FOR THE SKY,” the title track for his Capitol debut gold album which also included the classic “FEEL THE FIRE.”
Further success followed with the gold album “CROSSWINDS” and Peabo Bryson rapidly became one of the most popular headliners, touring nationally throughout the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s. His six-year tenure with Capitol also included major hit duets with Natalie Cole (“GIMME SOME TIME” and “WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE”) and Roberta Flack with whom he scored his first pop breakthrough via “TONIGHT I CELEBRATE MY LOVE,” taken from the 1983 gold album, “BORN TO LOVE.”
In 1984, Peabo Bryson signed with Elektra Records and achieved instant success with the Top 10 pop and R&B smash “IF EVER YOU’RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN” which also topped the Adult Contemporary charts. Further hits followed including “WITHOUT YOU”, a 1987 duet with Regina Bell. In 1989, Peabo returned to Capitol, claiming his first R&B chart-topper with “SHOW AND TELL” from the Top 10 R&B charted album “ALL MY LOVE.”
In 1990, he moved to Columbia Records and recorded the album “CAN YOU STOP THE RAIN.” The title track also became a No. 1 R&B hit while the single “LOST IN THE NIGHT” was nominated for a 1992 Grammy award. In 1991, Peabo Bryson teamed up with international superstar Celine Dion to record the theme tune for Disney’s hit film, “Beauty and The Beast”; the result, a No 1. pop hit, a Grammy for “Best Vocal by a duo or Group,” and an Oscar for “Best Song.”
In 1992, Peabo repeated that success with Regina Bell on another Disney derived tune when “A WHOLE NEW WORLD (Aladdin’s Theme)” hit the top of the charts and won Peabo a slew of further awards. His 1994 Columbia album “THROUGH THE FIRE” contained both movie themes and since that time, Peabo has toured the world, including performing at the Miss America Pageant in 1995.
Demonstrating his skills as an actor, he appeared in the lead role for the touring production of the Tony Award-winning “Raisin” (based on “Raisin In The Sun”) and in the role of The Wizard in a touring company of “The Wiz.” In 1998, he appeared in the Michigan Opera Theater’s 100th anniversary production of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and also recorded two songs for the soundtrack for the “Barney” movie, one of which the Bryson produced “DREAMS”- became the lead song for the album.
Peabo Bryson spent a good portion of 1998 also working on his much-anticipated Private Music debut, and for his many avid fans the world over, the wait has been worthwhile. Whether he’s expressing heartfelt sentiments, as in “UNCONDITIONAL LOVE” or grooving on “EYE ON YOU,” Peabo Bryson is at his intimate best, a legendary vocalist offering a timeless mix of pop and soul as only he can.